Evacuation Sale, Teikoku Company

Teikoku store was located in the Merchant Hotel building at NW 3rd and Davis, providing fresh food, dry goods, steamer tickets, and many other necessities of daily life for Portland’s Issei and their families. Founded in 1905, the store reopened after World War II as Anzen. Open daily in northeast Portland, Hiroshi's Anzen celebrated their 100 year anniversary in 2005.

Portland’s bustling Japantown disappeared abruptly in the spring of 1942. After World War Two, many Nisei did return to the Portland area. Nihonmachi was never the same again, but over the years the neighborhood served as home to Portland Japanese American Citizens League, Nikkeijin Kai and others. Today it is home to the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center. Photo courtesy of the Matsushima Family.